Use of acid scavengers for the synthesis of standard length and long-mer polymer arrays

ABSTRACT

Protective groups which may be cleaved with an activatable deprotecting reagents are employed to achieve a highly sensitive, high resolution, combinatorial synthesis of pattern arrays of diverse polymers. In preferred embodiments of the instant invention, the activatable deprotecting reagent is a photoacid generator and the protective groups are DMT for nucleic acids and tBOC for amino acids. This invention has a wide variety of applications and is particularly useful for the solid phase combinatorial synthesis of polymers.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/617,431, filed Dec. 28, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/755,261, filed Dec. 29, 2005. Each of these applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods of synthesizing polymer sequences such as nucleotide and peptide sequences are known. Synthesis of individual oligonucleotides is described in Oligonucleotide Synthesis: A Practical Approach, Gait, ed., IRL Press, Oxford (1984), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Similarly, the “Merrifield” solid phase peptide synthesis has been in common use for many years and is discussed in Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1963) 85:2149-2154, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The in situ fabrication of a plurality of polymers or “catamers,” including peptides and oligonucleotides, on a single solid support (a plurality of pins attached to a support, each pin having a unique polymer) to subsequently be used for analytical purposes was described in WO86/06487, published Nov. 6, 1986, entitled “Method for determining mimotopes,” by Hendrik M. Geysen, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The combination of solid phase synthetic chemistry and photolithographic technology from the semiconductor industry allowed for the first time for the fabrication of high density arrays of polymers. See Fodor, S. P. A., Read, L. J., Pirrung, M. C., Stryer, L., Lu, A. T. and Solas, D. (1991) Light-Directed, Spatially Addressable Parallel Chemical Synthesis. Science 251, 767-773, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

These techniques disclosed in Fodor et al. provide for total independent access to sites on the substrate at each synthetic step, allowing for massive parallel synthesis of the desired polymer (e.g., peptide, oligonucleotide) on the array. In turn, combinatorial masking strategies allow for the fabrication of a large number of chemical entities in a relatively small number of steps. In addition, light-directed synthesis allows for a high degree of miniaturization because the density of synthesis sites is bounded only by physical limitations on spatial addressability, here the diffraction of light.

These photolithograph techniques have been employed commercially to produce high density oligonucleotide arrays which may be used, for example, to simultaneously monitor the expression of the entire set of human genes or to finely map the genome of a human subject. This technology has in turn led to diagnostic applications of the high density arrays for human disease. See www.affymetrix.com.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses methods for fabricating arrays of polymers. One disclosed method includes the steps of: providing a solid substrate comprising a reactive group protected by an acid labile protective group; coating said solid substrate with a film, said film comprising a photo acid generator and an acid scavenger; activating said photo acid generator in selected regions of said substrate by selective application of light having a predetermined wavelength to provide an acid; exposing said reactive group having said protective group to said acid in the presence of said scavenger such that said protective group is removed to provide an exposed reactive group; reacting said exposed reactive group with a monomer, wherein the monomer is coupled to said exposed reactive group; and repeating the steps of coating, activating, exposing and reacting to produce the array of polymers.

In one aspect of the invention, the monomers are nucleotides and the polymer is an oligonucleotide. In another aspect of the invention, the monomers are amino acids and the polymer is a polypeptide.

Another method of the invention includes the steps of: providing a substrate comprising a hydroxyl group protected by an acid labile protective group; coating said substrate with a film, said film comprising a photo acid generator (PAG) and an acid scavenger; activating said photo acid generator in selected regions of said substrate by selective application of light having a predetermined wavelength to provide an acid; exposing said hydroxyl group protected by said protective group to said acid in the presence of said scavenger such that said protective group is removed to produce a deprotected hydroxyl group; reacting said deprotected hydroxyl group with a nucleotide monomer, wherein the nucleotide monomer is coupled to said deprotected hydroxyl group; and repeating the steps of coating, activating, exposing and reacting to produce the array of oligonucleotides.

In an aspect of the invention, the method also includes the steps of: stripping the film from the substrate with an appropriate solvent after removal of the protective group to provide a partially completed substrate comprising an exposed reactive hydroxyl group; reacting said hydroxyl group with a deoxynucleotide with a reactive group at its 5′ or 3′ hydroxyl group and an acid labile protective group at the other 5′ or 3′ hydroxyl group; and repeating the steps of coating, activating, exposing, stripping, and reacting to provide the array of oligonucleotides. The above methods can also be applied to fabricate arrays of other polymers such as carbohydrates and nucleic acid peptides.

The present invention allows for the synthesis of polymer arrays having smaller feature sizes, such that the number of features per unit area is increased. The present invention also provides a method of synthesizing polymers where the coupling efficiency in each propagation step is increased over conventional methods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

The following definitions are applicable to the terms set forth below unless otherwise indicated. Halogen (“halo”) is fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. Alkyl, alkoxy, aralkyl, alkylaryl, and the like denote both straight and branched groups; but reference to an individual radical such as “propyl” embraces only the straight chain alkyl group, a branched chain isomer such as “isopropyl” being specifically referred to. Aryl includes a phenyl radical or an ortho-fused bicyclic carbocyclic radical having about nine to ten ring atoms in which at least one ring is aromatic. Heteroaryl encompasses a radical attached via a ring carbon of a monocyclic aromatic ring containing five or six ring atoms consisting of carbon and one to four heteroatoms each selected from the group consisting of non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(X) wherein X is absent or is H, O, (C₁-C₄)alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, as well as a radical of an ortho-fused bicyclic heterocycle of about eight to ten ring atoms derived therefrom, particularly a benz-derivative or one derived by fusing a propylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene diradical thereto.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight chain, branched or cyclic saturated chemical group containing only carbon and hydrogen. Alkyl groups include, without limitation, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl and 2-methylbutyl. Alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or more substituents (e.g., halogen, alkoxy, amino).

“Alkenyl” refers to a straight chain, branched or cyclic chemical group containing only carbon and hydrogen and having at least one double bond. Alkylene groups include, without limitation, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, and 2-methylbutenyl. Alkenyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or more substituents (e.g., halogen, alkoxy, amino).

“Alkynyl” refers to a straight chain, branched or cyclic chemical group containing only carbon and hydrogen and having at least one triple bond. Alkynyl groups include, without limitation, ethylyne, propylene, butylyne, pentylyne and hexylyne. Alkynyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or more substituents (e.g., halogen, alkoxy, amino).

“Aryl” refers to a monovalent, unsaturated aromatic carbocyclic group. Aryl groups include, without limitation, phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl and biphenyl. Aryl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with 1 or more substituents (e.g. halogen, alkoxy, amino). “Arylene” refers to a divalent aryl group.

A “photoacid generator” is a compound or substance which produces acid (H⁺ or H₃O⁺) upon exposure to light having a predetermined wavelength.

An “acid scavenger” is a compound or substance which acts to neutralize, adsorb and/or buffer acids, e.g., a base or alkaline compound. Acid scavengers act to reduce the amount or concentration of protons or protonated water, i.e., H⁺ or H₃O⁺. In the context of the present invention, an acid scavenger acts to neutralize, diminish, or buffer acid produced by a photoacid generator. Preferably, an acid scavenger exhibits little or no stratification within a film over time or following exposure to heat.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, acid scavengers may be further subdivided into “organic bases” and “polymeric bases.” A polymeric base is an acid scavenger (e.g., basic unit) attached to a longer polymeric unit. A polymer is typically composed of a number of coupled or linked monomers. The monomers can be the same (to form a homopolymer) or different (to form a copolymer). In a polymeric base, at least some of the monomers act as acid scavengers.

An organic base is defined as a base which is joined to or part of a non-polymeric unit. Non-limiting examples of organic bases include, without limitation, amine compounds (e.g., primary, secondary and tertiary amines). Generally any type of acid scavenger, defined here as a traditional Lewis Base, an electron pair donor, can be used in accordance with the present invention.

In one aspect of the invention, amine compounds are represented by the following structure:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group or an aryl group, or one or more of R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring. In a particular aspect, two or three of R₁, R₂ and R₃ are alkyl groups.

In a particular aspect, one or more of R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a carbocyclic (excluding the pictured nitrogen atom) or heterocyclic ring. For example, R₁ and R₂ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring. In another example, R₁ and R₂ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring and R₂ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring. In a further example, R₁ and R₂ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring, R₂ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring and R₁ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a ring. Such rings are typically carbocyclic or include only carbon and nitrogen atoms, such as 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-membered rings.

R₁, R₂ and R₃ are often unsubstituted groups, however, substitution is permitted. When R₁, R₂ and R₃ are substituted, substituents can be selected to enhance the solubility of the base.

Exemplary groups of organic base additives include (A) mono, di and tri-alkylamines, (B) anilines and substituted anilines, (C) substituted pyridines, (D) substituted guanidines, (E) bicyclic mono and di-azo compounds, and (F) bifunctional bases containing amino and hydroxyl functionalities. Specific examples of organic base additives are shown below:

Organic Base Acid Scavenger and Reported BP (MP)

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, boiling points and melting points are of great importance in determining whether the compound in question will act as an effective acid scavenger. For example, in some systems a prebake step is employed (see example 2 below). If an acid scavenger, particularly an organic base, has a low boiling point, it could tend to evaporate, diminishing the effective amount of scavenger. Thus, if the synthesis methodology employed in the context of the present invention includes exposure of the acid scavenger to a high temperature, a person of skill in the art will compensate by choosing an acid scavenger with a high boiling point or that is a solid at the temperature in question. Alternatively, if a low boiling point acid scavenger is used, a person of skill in the art can compensate for exposure to a high temperature by starting off with a higher concentration of the low boiling point acid scavenger or supplementing the mixture with more acid scavenger to compensate for evaporation.

Organic base concentrations typically range between 0.1 and 4.0 molar equivalents, relative to the PAG. More preferably, organic base concentrations range from 0.1 to 3.0 molar equivalents, such as 0.5 to 2.0 molar equivalents. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, organic bases advantageously have one or more of the following physical properties: (1) a boiling point above 150° C. and preferably above 200° C., (2) a pKa greater than 7 and less than 14 and more preferably between 8 and 10, (3) a sterically hindered nitrogen, and (4) solubility both in a PAG formulation and in a thin-film.

Suitable polymeric bases include basic homopolymers and copolymers, including those formed from amine-containing monomers. Examples of such polymeric bases are polyvinylpyridone, polyvinylpyridine and polyvinylimidizaole. Additional suitable polymeric bases include polymers containing base functionalities (e.g., amines, preferably sterically hindered amines). Further suitable polymeric bases are polymer backbones (e.g., alkylene backbones such as ethylene) to which one or more of the organic bases described above are directly or indirectly attached. In some examples, the nitrogen atom is attached directly or indirectly (e.g., via an alkylene group) to a polymer backbone and R₃ is absent. Typically, molecular weights of the polymeric bases range between 2K and 150 K, more preferably 10 K and 150 K, such as 10 K and 50 K. Polymeric base concentrations generally range from 0.05% to 5% by weight of a film.

“Chemical library” or “array” is an intentionally created collection of differing molecules which can be prepared either synthetically or biosynthetically and screened for biological activity in a variety of different formats (e.g., libraries of soluble molecules; and libraries of compounds tethered to resin beads, silica chips, or other solid supports). The term is also intended to refer to an intentionally created collection of stereoisomers.

A “film” as used herein refers to a layer or coating having one or more constituents, applied in a generally uniform manner over the entire surface of a substrate, for example, by spin coating. For example, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a film is a solution, suspension, dispersion, emulsion, or other acceptable form of a chosen polymer. For example, a film can include a photoacid generator and optionally a base and a sensitizer, generally in combination with a film-forming polymer. Film-forming polymers are polymers, which after melting or dissolution in a compatible solvent, can form a uniform film on a substrate.

A “sensitizer” is a compound which aids in the use of certain photoacid generators (“PAGs”). While the instant invention is not limited by any particular mechanism of action or proposed mechanism of action, the sensitizer is understood to extend the photosensitivity of the PAG, i.e. to shift the photo sensitivity to a longer wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The sensitizer, also called a photosensitizer, is capable of activating the PAG at, for example, a longer wavelength of light in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the concentration of the sensitizer is greater than that of the PAG, such as 1.1 times to 5 times greater, for example, 1.1 times to 3 times greater the concentration of PAG. Exemplary sensitizers suitable for use in the invention include isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) and 10H-phenoxazine (PhX).

A “substrate” is a material having a rigid, semi-rigid or gelatinous surface. Typical examples include glass or suitable polymer materials. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one surface of the substrate will be substantially flat, although in some embodiments it may be desirable to physically separate synthesis regions for different polymers with, for example, wells, raised regions, etched trenches, or the like. In some embodiments, the substrate itself contains wells, trenches, flow through regions, etc. which form all or part of the synthesis regions. According to other-embodiments, small beads may be provided on the surface, and compounds synthesized thereon optionally may be released upon completion of the synthesis. Substrates are well known in the art and are readily commercially available through vendors such as USPG, PPG Industries, AFG Industries and others.

A “labile protective group” is a moiety which may be selectively removed to expose an active site such as an amino functionality in peptide or amino acid or a hydroxyl group in a nucleic acid or nucleotide. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, protective groups may be removed under a variety of condition. For example, an “acid labile protective group” is removed by exposure to acid. For an extensive listing of labile protective groups useful in the practice of the present invention, see also Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G. M., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, (1991), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Useful representative acid sensitive protective groups include dimethoxytrityl (DMT), tert-butylcarbamate (tBoc) and trifluoroacetyl (tFA). Useful representative base sensitive protective groups include 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), isobutyrl (iBu), benzoyl (Bz) and phenoxyacetyl (pac). Other protective groups include acetamidomethyl, acetyl, tert-amyloxycarbonyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, 2-(4-biphenylyl)-2-propyloxycarbonyl, 2-bromobenzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl, 1-carbobenzoxamido-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, 2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propyloxycarbonyl, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, dithiasuccinyl, formyl, 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, o-nitrophenylsulfenyl, 2-phenyl-2-propyloxycarbonyl, α-2,4,5-tetramethylbenzyloxycarbonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, xanthenyl, benzyl ester, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, p-nitrobenzyl ester, p-nitrophenyl ester, phenyl ester, p-nitrocarbonate, p-nitrobenzylcarbonate, trimethylsilyl and pentachlorophenyl ester and the like.

A “predefined region” is a localized area on a substrate which is, was, or is intended to be used for formation of a selected polymer and is otherwise referred to herein in the alternative as “reaction” region, a “selected” region, simply a “region” or a “feature”. The predefined region may have any convenient shape, e.g., circular, rectangular, elliptical, wedge-shaped, etc. In accordance with the present invention, the arrays of the present invention have features on the order of 10-100 μm, i.e. 10×10 μm² to 100×100 μm² for approximately square features. More preferably the features will be on the order of 1-10 μm. It is also an object of the present invention to provide features having sub-micron dimensions. Such features are preferably on the order of 100-1000 nm. Within these regions, the polymer synthesized therein is preferably synthesized in a substantially pure form. However, in other embodiments of the invention, predefined regions may substantially overlap. In such embodiments, hybridization results may be resolved by software for example.

“Damage to the polymer” means degradation or harm to a polymeric sequence such as deletions or substitutions of one monomer sequence for another, damage to the monomer itself, a linker or substrate. It is an object of the present invention to maintain the integrity of the synthesized polymer in all facets of synthesis and/or use for detection of hybridization or binding. It is an object of one aspect of the present invention that the reagents and conditions used to deprotect the monomer (e.g., exposure of acid labile protective group to acid), whether attached to a linker or growing polymer chain, do not substantially degrade or harm the polymer, monomer, linker or substrate. Preferably, the reagents and conditions used to deprotect will not damage the polymer at all or will do so only minimally such that the polymer can still be specifically recognized by its counterpart (e.g. ligand-receptor). For example, if the polymer is a nucleic acid, it can only sustain damage, e.g., depurination, to the extent that it can still undergo specific Watson-Crick base pairing with a complementary nucleic acid such that specific hybridization is detectable over non-specific hybridizations. Similarly, if a peptide or its amino acids are chemically damaged, the damage must not be to such an extent that a ligand, e.g., an antibody, fails to recognize the peptide. Acceptable levels of damage will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art. In constructing an array of polymers in accordance with the present invention, it is acceptable that some polymers of a group are extensively damaged as long as there are sufficient other members of the group that are either undamaged or minimally damaged to allow specific recognition of the polymer.

The present invention has many preferred embodiments and relies on many patents, applications and other references for details known to those of skill in the art. Therefore, when a patent, application, or other reference is cited or repeated below, it is incorporated by reference in its entirety unless indicated otherwise.

As used in this application, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” include the corresponding plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. Likewise, plural references include the singular unless the context indicates otherwise.

Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of this invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that such description is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an unwarranted limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

The practice of the present invention may employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of organic chemistry, polymer technology, molecular biology (including recombinant nucleic acid techniques), cell biology, biochemistry, and immunology as would be understood by one of the ordinary skill. Such conventional techniques include polymer array synthesis, hybridization, ligation, and detection of hybridization using a label. Specific illustrations of suitable techniques can be had by reference to the examples herein below. However, other equivalent conventional procedures can, of course, also be used. Such conventional techniques and descriptions can be found in standard laboratory manuals such as Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series (Vols. I-IV), Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cells: A Laboratory Manual, PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual, and Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (all from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press), Stryer, L. (1995) Biochemistry (4th Ed.) Freeman, New York, Gait, “Oligonucleotide Synthesis: A Practical Approach” 1984, IRL Press, London, Nelson and Cox (2000), Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry 3^(rd) Ed., W.H. Freeman Pub., New York, N.Y. and Berg et al. (2002) Biochemistry, 5^(th) Ed., W.H. Freeman Pub., New York, N.Y., all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention can employ solid substrates, including arrays in some preferred embodiments. Methods and techniques applicable to polymer (including protein) array synthesis have been described in U.S. Ser. No. 09/536,841, WO 00/58516, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,143,854, 5,242,974, 5,252,743, 5,324,633, 5,384,261, 5,405,783, 5,424,186, 5,451,683, 5,482,867, 5,491,074, 5,527,681, 5,550,215, 5,571,639, 5,578,832, 5,593,839, 5,599,695, 5,624,711, 5,631,734, 5,795,716, 5,831,070, 5,837,832, 5,856,101, 5,858,659, 5,936,324, 5,968,740, 5,974,164, 5,981,185, 5,981,956, 6,025,601, 6,033,860, 6,040,193, 6,090,555, 6,136,269, 6,269,846 and 6,428,752, in PCT Applications Nos. PCT/US99/00730 (International Publication Number WO 99/36760) and PCT/US01/04285 (International Publication Number WO 01/58593), which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Patents that describe synthesis techniques in specific embodiments include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,412,087, 6,147,205, 6,262,216, 6,310,189, 5,889,165, and 5,959,098, which are all incorporated by reference in their entirety. Nucleic acid arrays are described in many of the above patents, but the same general methodologies are applicable to polypeptide arrays.

The present invention also contemplates many uses for polymers attached to substrates. These uses include gene expression monitoring, profiling, library screening, genotyping and diagnostics. Gene expression monitoring, and profiling methods can be shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,800,992, 6,013,449, 6,020,135, 6,033,860, 6,040,138, 6,177,248 and 6,309,822, which are all incorporated by reference in their entirety. Genotyping and uses therefore are shown in U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/319,253, 10/013,598 (U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030036069), and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,856,092, 6,300,063, 5,858,659, 6,284,460, 6,361,947, 6,368,799 and 6,333,179, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other uses are embodied in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,871,928, 5,902,723, 6,045,996, 5,541,061, and 6,197,506, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention also contemplates sample preparation methods in certain preferred embodiments. Prior to or concurrent with genotyping, the genomic sample may be amplified by a variety of mechanisms, some of which may employ PCR. See, e.g., PCR Technology: Principles and Applications for DNA Amplification (Ed. H. A. Erlich, Freeman Press, NY, N.Y., 1992); PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications (Eds. Innis, et al., Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 1990); Mattila et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 4967 (1991); Eckert et al., PCR Methods and Applications 1, 17 (1991); PCR (Eds. McPherson et al., IRL Press, Oxford); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202, 4,683,195, 4,800,159 4,965,188, and 5,333,675, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The sample may be amplified on the array. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,300,070 and U.S. Ser. No. 09/513,300, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Other suitable amplification methods include the ligase chain reaction (LCR) (e.g., Wu and Wallace, Genomics 4, 560 (1989), Landegren et al., Science 241, 1077 (1988) and Barringer et al. Gene 89:117 (1990)), transcription amplification (Kwoh et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 1173 (1989) and WO 88/10315), self-sustained sequence replication (Guatelli et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 87, 1874 (1990) and WO 90/06995), selective amplification of target polynucleotide sequences (U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,276), consensus sequence primed polymerase chain reaction (CP-PCR) (U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,975), arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,909, 5,861,245) and nucleic acid based sequence amplification (NABSA). (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,409,818, 5,554,517, and 6,063,603, each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Other amplification methods that may be used are described in, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,794, 5,494,810, 4,988,617 and in U.S. Ser. No. 09/854,317. Each of the above references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Additional methods of sample preparation and techniques for reducing the complexity of a nucleic sample are described in Dong et al., Genome Research 11, 1418 (2001), in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,361,947, 6,391,592 and U.S. Ser. Nos. 09/916,135, 09/920,491 (U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030096235), 09/910,292 (U.S. Patent Application Publication 20030082543), and 10/013,598, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Numerous methods for conducting polynucleotide hybridization assays have been well developed. Hybridization assay procedures and conditions will vary depending on the application and are selected in accordance with the general binding methods known including those referred to in: Maniatis et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2^(nd) Ed. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989); Berger and Kimmel Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 152, Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques (Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif., 1987); Young and Davism, P.N.A.S, 80: 1194 (1983). Methods and apparatus for carrying out repeated and controlled hybridization reactions have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,871,928, 5,874,219, 6,045,996 and 6,386,749, 6,391,623 each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention contemplates detection of hybridization between a ligand and its corresponding receptor by generation of specific signals. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,143,854, 5,578,832; 5,631,734; 5,834,758; 5,936,324; 5,981,956; 6,025,601; 6,141,096; 6,185,030; 6,201,639; 6,218,803; and 6,225,625, in U.S. Ser. No. 60/364,731 and in PCT Application PCT/US99/06097 (published as WO99/47964), each of which also is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Methods and apparatus for signal detection and processing of intensity data are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,143,854, 5,547,839, 5,578,832, 5,631,734, 5,800,992, 5,834,758; 5,856,092, 5,902,723, 5,936,324, 5,981,956, 6,025,601, 6,090,555, 6,141,096, 6,185,030, 6,201,639; 6,218,803; and 6,225,625, in U.S. Ser. No. 60/364,731 and in PCT Application PCT/US99/06097 (published as WO 99/47964), each of which also is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The practice of the present invention may also employ conventional biology methods, software and systems. Computer software products of the invention typically include computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the logic steps of the method of the invention. Suitable computer readable medium include floppy disk, CD-ROM/DVD/DVD-ROM, hard-disk drive, flash memory, ROM/RAM, magnetic tapes and etc. The computer executable instructions may be written in a suitable computer language or combination of several languages. Basic computational biology methods are described in, e.g. Setubal and Meidanis et al., Introduction to Computational Biology Methods (PWS Publishing Company, Boston, 1997); Salzberg, Searles, Kasif, (Ed.), Computational Methods in Molecular Biology, (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1998); Rashidi and Buehler, Bioinformatics Basics: Application in Biological Science and Medicine (CRC Press, London, 2000) and Ouelette and Bzevanis Bioinformatics: A Practical Guide for Analysis of Gene and Proteins (Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2^(nd) ed., 2001). See U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,108. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention may also make use of various computer program products and software for a variety of purposes, such as probe design, management of data, analysis, and instrument operation. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,839, 5,795,716, 5,733,729, 5,974,164, 6,066,454, 6,090,555, 6,185,561, 6,188,783, 6,223,127, 6,229,911 and 6,308,170. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Light patterns can also be generated using Digital Micromirrors, Light Crystal on Silicon (LCOS), light valve arrays, laser beam patterns and other devices suitable for direct-write photolithography. See. e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,271,957 and 6,480,324, incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, the present invention may have preferred embodiments that include methods for providing genetic information over networks such as the Internet as shown in U.S. Ser. Nos. 10/063,559 (United States Publication No. 20020183936), U.S. Provisional Applications 60/349,546, 60/376,003, 60/394,574 and 60/403,381). Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and compositions for the formation of arrays of large numbers of different polymer sequences. In one aspect of the present invention, the methods and compositions provided herein involve the conversion of radiation signals into chemical products that are particularly useful in polymer synthesis. The invention also includes the arrays formed using the methods and compositions disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention includes methods, compositions, and devices for the synthesis of an array of different polymers in selected and predefined regions of a substrate. Another aspect of the invention includes those arrays and various methods of using them.

Such arrays are used in, for example, in nucleic acid analysis. Polynucleotide or nucleic acid arrays are especially suitable for checking the accuracy of previously elucidated sequences and for detecting mutations and polymorphisms. Polymer arrays are also used in screening studies to evaluate their interaction with, for example, receptors such as antibodies in the case of peptide arrays or with nucleic acids in the case, for example of oligonucleotide arrays. For example, certain embodiments of the invention provide for the screening of peptides to determine which if any of a diverse set of peptides has strong binding affinity with a receptor.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the arrays formed by the present invention are used in competitive assays or other well-known techniques to screen for compounds having certain activities. For example, vast collections of synthetic or natural compounds are immobilized on predefined regions of a substrate. The reaction of the immobilized compounds (or compound) with various test compositions such as the members of a chemical library or a biological extract are tested by dispensing small aliquots of each member of the library or extract to a different region. In one embodiment, a large collection of human receptors is deposited on a substrate, one in each region to form an array. A plant or animal extract is then screened for binding to various receptors of the array.

Nucleic acid sequences can also be immobilized in specific locations or predefined regions of a substrate using the current invention. In some embodiments, such immobilized nucleic acid arrays are used in hybridization assays for gene expression monitoring, nucleic acid amplifications, nucleic acid computation, and nucleic acid analysis in general.

The present invention has certain features in common with the radiation directed methods discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854, incorporated herein by reference. The radiation-directed methods discussed in that patent involve activating predefined regions of the substrate and then contacting the substrate with a preselected monomer solution. The predefined regions can be activated with, for example, a light source shown through a mask (much in the manner of photolithographic techniques used in integrated circuit fabrication). Other regions of the substrate remain inactive because they are blocked by the mask from illumination. Thus, a light pattern defines which regions of the substrate react with a given monomer. By repeatedly activating different sets of predefined regions and providing different monomer compositions thereto, a diverse array of polymers is produced on or near the substrate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is no requirement for the use of masks. Predefined regions of the array may be activated by light without the use of photomasks, for example without limitation, by spatial light modulation as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,271,957 and related applications (parent and progeny patents).

According to one aspect of the present invention, linker molecules having reactive functional groups protected by acid labile protecting groups are provided on the surface of a substrate. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a photoacid generator (“PAG”) is provided on the surface, preferably in a film with an acid scavenger. This is also called a “resist mixture.”

In another aspect of the present invention, the resist mixture additionally contains a sensitizer. A set of selected regions on the surface of the substrate is exposed to radiation using well-known lithographic methods discussed, for example, in Thompson, L. F.; Willson, C. G.; and Bowden, M. J., Introduction to Microlithography; American Chemical Society, 1994, pp. 212-232, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

According to an aspect of the present invention, acid is generated in the selected regions from the PAG by exposure of the PAG to light of a predetermined wavelength. The generated acid contacts the protected group(s) for long enough and under appropriate conditions to remove the protective group. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the protective group is preferably a DMT group and it protects a hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl group can be, for example, part of a substrate, part of a linker, a 5′-hydroxyl group of a nucleotide or deoxynucleotide or a 3′-hydroxyl group of a nucleotide or deoxynucleotide. After sufficient exposure of the protective groups to the acid such that the protective group is removed, but no or substantially no damage is done to any polymer, the surface of the array is stripped, preferably in an appropriate solvent leaving protected and unprotected groups. In one aspect of the invention, the protective groups are exposed to the acid for up to 3 hours, such as up to 1 hour, and typically from 2-30 or 5-15 minutes.

Monomers having an acid labile protective group are allowed to react with the exposed groups from the acid treatment. The surface is again coated with one of the resist mixtures described above.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, deoxynucleotides having one hydroxyl group with an acid labile protective group and the other with a reactive group, preferably a phosphoramidite group, are allowed to react with the exposed hydroxyl groups from the acid treatment, allowing coupling of the nucleotide to the hydroxyl group. The surface is again coated with one of the resist mixtures described above.

A second set of selected regions is, thereafter, exposed to radiation. The radiation-initiated reactions remove the protecting groups on molecules in the second set of selected regions, i.e. the linker molecules and the first-bound monomers. The substrate is then contacted with a second monomer containing a removable protective group for reaction with exposed functional groups. This process is repeated to selectively apply monomers until polymers of a desired length and desired chemical sequence are obtained. According to one aspect of the present invention, the monomers are preferably nucleotides. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, growing chains of nucleic acid are preferably capped in between synthesis rounds. By terminating chain growth where a monomer should have been added but wasn't, capping limits the production of incorrect nucleotide sequences. Side chain protective groups for exocyclic amines for example are also preferably protected by techniques well known in the art during synthesis and deprotected at the conclusion of synthesis of the nucleotide array.

In one preferred embodiment, the monomer is a 2′-deoxynucleoside phosphoramidite containing an acid labile protecting group at its 5′ hydroxyl group. Accordingly, a “monomer” is understood to include both the individual units of a finished polymer (e.g., oligonucleotide, polypeptide) and compounds that become individual units of a finished polymer upon attaching to a substrate and optionally further reaction (e.g., to remove protecting groups, to oxidize phosphite esters to phosphate esters). As stated previously, in an alternate embodiment, the protecting group is present at the 3′ hydroxyl group if synthesis of the polynucleotide is from the 5′ to 3′ direction. The nucleoside phosphoroamidite is represented in accordance with one aspect of the present invention by the following formula:

wherein the base is adenine, guanine, thymine, or cytosine, R₁ is a protecting group which makes the 5′ hydroxyl group unavailable for reaction and includes dimethoxytrityl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl or any of the protecting groups known to those of skill in the art; R₂ is cyanoethyl, methyl, t-butyl, trimethylsilyl or the like; and R₃ and R₄ are isopropyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Exocyclic amines present on the bases can also be protected with acyl protecting groups such as benzoyl, isobutyryl, phenoxyacetyl and the like. The linker molecule contains an acid- or base-removable protecting group. Useful linker molecules are well known to those skilled in the art and representative examples include oligo ethers such as hexaethylene glycol, oligomers of nucleotides, esters, carbonates, amides and the like. Useful protecting groups include those previously listed and others known to those skilled in the art.

In another preferred embodiment, the monomer is an amino acid containing an acid- or base-removable protecting group at its amino or carboxy terminus and the linker molecule terminates in an amino or carboxy acid group bearing an acid- or base removable protecting group. Protecting groups include tert-butyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorophenylmethoxycarbonyl, and any of the protective groups previously mentioned and others known to those skilled in the art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, spatially defined polymer synthesis will be performed by depositing a photoresist such as Ghand's “VLSI Fabrication Principles,” Wiley (1983), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. According to these embodiments, a resist is deposited, selectively exposed, leaving a portion of the substrate exposed for coupling. These steps of depositing resist, selectively removing resist and monomer coupling are repeated to form polymers of defined sequences at desired locations. In some specific embodiments, a positive tone resist comprised of diazonapthoquinone-novolac (DQN/N) is incorporated in a creasole-formaldehyde polymer matrix. This resist and its variants are used routinely in the microelectronics industry for submicron resolution lithography, as more fully discussed in Reiser, “Photoreactive Polymers: The Science and Technology of Resist,” Riley (1989), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, it has been discovered in accordance with an aspect of the present invention that substantial and non-obvious refinements to the procedures developed for the microelectronics industry are necessary to allow similar procedures to work with certain polymers of the present invention, e.g., nucleic acids. It is also known to those of skill in the art that other polymers such as peptides are not stable at all conditions employed in the microelectronics industry.

High contrast detritylation of <4 microns has been demonstrated with simple contact printing with a resist. Unfortunately, the alkaline conditions needed (aqueous [OH] of 0.1 M) complicates its direct use in a multistep polymer synthesis, such as polynucleotide array fabrication because of the hydrolysis of nucleobase exocyclic amine protecting groups that are used to prevent side reactions during synthesis with standard phosphoramidite monomers.

As various well known methods for chemical removal of protecting groups involving application of alkali conditions resulted in undesired side reactions such as removal of exocyclic amino protecting groups, reagents and methods were developed for light-directed synthesis of DNA probes, utilizing phosphoramidite monomers having photolabile protecting groups. These methods and reagents are described in the various references incorporated by reference above.

Under some circumstances, photodeprotection yields truncated probe sequences due to incomplete removal of the photoprotecting group following application of light. Incomplete removal of a photodeprotecting group may impose limitations on probe length. For example, if one imagines a stepwise yield of photolysis of 85% and 25 successive steps are carried out to provide 25-mer oligonucleotides, less than 2% of the probes will reach the desired length of 25.

In addition, relative to conventional DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomers, photolabile-protected phosphoramidite monomers are costly to obtain. A manufacturing process that uses DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomers should therefore be cheaper, and by analogy to well-established efficiencies of acid-mediated DMT removal, should also be higher-yielding, perhaps even approaching a 99% stepwise yield. A high-yielding synthesis method would substantially decrease the number of truncated probes and enable the ability to produce long-mer probes (e.g., 50-mer, 60-mer, 70-mer etc.) with relative ease. Shorter probes could also be constructed by the same method if desired.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, methods and compositions to generate localized photo-generation of appropriate acid species to effect protecting group (e.g., DMT) removal from growing strands of polynucleotides were developed. The traditional semiconductor field employs photoacid generator compounds (i.e., PAGs) in conjunction with “sensitizer” compounds.

Sensitizer compounds work to allow some PAGs to produce acid at an acceptable wavelength of light. Many PAGs are known from the computer chip industry. Many of them require activation energies, i.e., wavelengths of light, which can cause damage to the DNA being synthesized on the substrate. For example wave lengths of light which are perfectly tolerable for computer chips (<300 nm) would cause severe damage to DNA oligonucleotides, rendering these PAGs useless for oligonucleotide array synthesis. However, an appropriate sensitizer can render the same PAG activatable by longer wavelengths of light. For example, the PAG Bis(4-t-butyl phenyl)iodonium PF₆ alone performs poorly at 365 nm, a preferred wavelength for DNA synthesis. However, by use of this PAG in conjunction with 2-isopropyl thioxanthone (a sensitizer), high levels of adsorption are observed at 365 nm with concomitant production of acid.

In the computer chip industry, after exposure of PAGs to light a baking step is traditionally employed to maximize the effect of the liberated acid. However, in accordance with the present invention, it was discovered that this traditional baking step leads to substantial damage in the way of depurination of the probes. Probes which have undergone depurination, i.e., the loss of the base structure on A and G nucleotides, will not hybridize as well, or possibly at all, to corresponding homologous DNA or RNA.

Solutions to acid induced depurination are known in the art. Analogues of standard DNA, for example 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) nucleoside modifications, are known to be more resistant to such degradation. However, utilization of such analogues is substantially more expensive than the corresponding underivatized analog. Moreover, analogues such as 2′-OMe nucleosides alter the hybridization properties of the probes, which would require changes to probe/array design.

It has been discovered in accordance with the present invention that high-yield probes may be prepared using standard DMT-containing monomers and detritylation with a photoacid generator used under appropriate conditions, i.e. conditions described in accordance with an aspect of the present invention which substantially reduce or eliminate acid induced depurination. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the exposure time of the polymer to the acid is an important consideration. Another key aspect of an aspect of the invention is the photolysis time, which must be of sufficient duration to generate a suitable quantity of acid and achieve essentially quantitative detritylation, but not so long that depurination becomes a factor. It has been discovered in accordance with an aspect of the present invention that a heating step following photoactivation of the PAG, which is routinely employed and taught in the semiconductor industry, should not be used in conjunction with certain polymers contemplated by the present invention, including especially polynucleotides, e.g. DNA oligonucleotides. If growing polynucleotide chains are baked after activation of the photoacid generator, it appears that the resulting heat in conjunction with a localized low pH causes depurination. Thus, post-UV light exposure baking is to be avoided in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that a wide variety of PAGs, even those described as “super acids,” may be used to produce nucleic acid arrays by not employing a baking step and by using an appropriate acid scavenger. For example, with respect to one particular aspect of the present invention, it has been discovered that certain onium salts provide excellent removal of the protecting group (e.g., DMT) when used in conjunction with an appropriate acid scavenger and without a post-exposure baking step.

In another aspect of the present invention, a non-ionic PAG is used in conjunction with a sensitizer and a base to provide high yield DMT removal without causing unwanted depurination. These approaches, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, substantially solve the problem of probe degradation often observed with photoacid generation, avoid the need to use DNA analogues and enable a high-yield probe synthesis process and resulting products.

In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the photoacid causes minimal or insubstantial damage to the polymers making up the array. What damage may be endured by the polymer in question will be determined by the nature of the polymer and the assay or experiment to be conducted with the array. This will be apparent to the person of skill in the art. For example, if an array of oligonucleotides is fabricated, a certain amount of depurination may be tolerated if the probes on the array can still be used to reliably and specifically detect sequences in a sample. Preferably, depurination occurs in less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 2% or less than 1% of nucleotides susceptible to depurination.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the PAG must be chosen (in conjunction with a sensitizer as necessary) such that that wavelength of light of activation does not fall below about 310 nm. For example, many PAGs are used in the semiconductor industry which require UV light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm. Indeed, literature references speak of using “short UV” PAGs wherein wavelengths of light of 220 to 260 nm are used. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, such short UV wavelengths are totally unacceptable with respect to nucleic acids. For nucleic acids, UV light of wavelength greater than 310 nm, such as 330 to 365 nm is typically used. More preferably, UV light of around 365 nm is used.

According to one aspect of the present invention a process is provided for fabricating an array of polymers, the process having the steps of providing a substrate having a reactive group protected by a protective group; coating the substrate with a film having an activatable deprotecting agent; activating the deprotecting agent in selected regions by selective application of an activator to provide an activated deprotecting agent; and exposing the monomer having the protective group to the activated deprotecting group under appropriate conditions such that the protecting group is removed to provide an exposed reactive group wherein the step of exposing does not result in substantial damage to the polymer. In accordance with the present invention, the reactive group may be located on a linker having one end bound to a substrate with the reactive group at the opposite end or other exposed site of the linker, a monomer attached to a linker or a polymer (here, two or more monomers) attached to a linker.

Typically, the array of polymers is an array of nucleic acids. More typically, the array of nucleic acids is an array of oligonucleotides. The monomers for such arrays are preferably naturally or non-naturally occurring nucleotides. More preferably, the nucleotides employed in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of G, A, T, and C. Preferably, a nucleotide is protected at its 5′ hydroxyl end by a dimethoxytrityl (“DMT”) protective group. In the most preferred embodiments, the nucleotide is selected from the group G, A, T, and C and is protected at its 5′ hydroxyl group by a DMT protective group. In another aspect of the present invention, the nucleotide is protected at its 3′ hydroxyl group with a DMT protective group. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, nucleotides may be synthesized in the 5′ to 3′ direction or a 3′ to 5′ direction.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the array of polymers is an array of peptides, where the monomers are amino acids. Suitable amino acids include naturally occurring amino acid and non-naturally occurring amino acids. Preferably, the amino acid is selected from the group consisting of the L form of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, praline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine. Preferably, a amino acid is protected at its amino terminus functionality by a tert-butyloxycarbonyl (“tBOC”) protective group during synthesis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, suitable amino acids include peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). PNAs include a peptide backbone with nitrogenous bases attached to this backbone, such that they can serve as mimics of nucleic acids (including oligomers). Preferably, PNAs have a greater affinity for a complementary nucleic acid sequence than the analogous native nucleic acid. Suitable PNA repeat units are shown by the following structural formulae:

where B represents a base, typically adenine, cytosine, guanine or thymine. Other backbones are suitable, provided that the resulting PNAs are capable of hybridizing with nucleic acids.

Syntheses of PNAs are described in Hyrup and Nielsen, Bioorg. Med. Chem. (1996) 4:5-23; and Vilaivan and Lowe, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2002) 124:9326-9327, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In an aspect of the invention, density of PNAs in an array and any linker groups are selected such that a 2:1 complex of PNA to a hybridized DNA or RNA sample can be formed. In another aspect of the invention, a chimeric polymer of PNA and a nucleic acid is prepared.

In another aspect of the instant invention, the process described above has an additional step of reacting the monomer with an exposed reactive group with a second monomer having a reactive group protected by a protective group. In another preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the process further includes repeating all the steps to obtain the desired polymer array.

Originally the term lithography referred to a method of printing using a nonpolar ink applied to a hydrophilic master plate patterned with a hydrophobic image. As used at the present date, the term is generally used to describe a number of methods for replicating a predetermined master pattern on a substrate. Common applications of this technology involve replication effected by first coating the substrate with a radiation-sensitive polymer film (a resist) and then exposing the film to actinic radiation in a predefined pattern. The radiation-induced chemical changes that result, alter the chemical properties of the exposed regions of the coated substrate such that they can be differentiated in subsequent developmental steps.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the step of coating is performed by applying to the substrate a film of a polymer solution containing the activatable deprotecting agent. Preferably, the polymer solution is a composition of a certain percentage of poly(methyl methacrylate). Preferably, the activatable deprotecting agent is a photoacid generator. Both ionic and non-ionic photoacid generators can be used in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. One suitable photoacid generator is 2,6-dinitrobenzyl tosylate, a non-ionic photoacid generator. Another suitable photoacid generator is bis-(4-t-butyl phenyl)iodonium hexafluorophosphate. Where the activatable deprotecting agent is a photoacid generator, it is particularly preferred that the monomer is a nucleotide and the protecting group is DMT. It is also preferred in this situation that the monomer is an amino acid and the protecting group is tBOC.

In other embodiments of the instant invention, the array of polymers comprises a polymer at least 25 monomers in length. In another preferred embodiment, the polymer is at least 50 monomers in length. In further embodiments, the polymer may range up to 200 monomers in length. In other preferred embodiments, the polymers are at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 or 150 monomers in length. More preferably, the polymers referred to above are nucleic acids or oligonucleotides.

Still other photoacid generators (“PAGs”) are known and suitable for use in the present invention. Common commercial ionic PAGs include onium and organometallic salts such as diaryliodonium and triarylsulfonium salts and (cyclopentadienyl)(arene)iron⁺ salts of the anions PF₆ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻, CF₃SO₃ ⁻, C₄F₉SO₃ ⁻ and C₈F₁₇SO₃ ⁻. Also known are sulfonium salts (e.g., triphenylsulfonium hexafluorophosphate, triflate, tosylate, and camphorsulfonate.

The photochemical reaction of many onium salts generates a strong Brönsted acid. In this regard, numerous PAGs are known from the semiconductor industry. However, in the semi-conductor industry, the wafer is subjected to a baking step after generation of the acid by photolysis, where the exposed wafers are subjected to elevated temperatures. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that baking has a deleterious effect on some polymers, in particular nucleic acids. Thus, while onium salts and other PAGs used in the semiconductor industry are of interest to the present invention, protocols for the usage of these compounds must be varied significantly as described in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

Onium salts are known to have high quantum yields of acid production, good absorption properties and good solubility in many resist films. However, it is also known in accordance with the present invention that the wavelengths of light commonly used to activate onium salts for semi-conductors can not be used with some polymers, particularly nucleic acids. In this regard, it is common in the semi-conductor industry to use low wavelength UV light (e.g. less than 300 nm) to activate onium salts. See, e.g., Wallraff, G. M. and Hinsberg, W. D., Lithographic Imaging Techniques for the formation of Nanoscopic Features, Chem. Rev. 1999, 99, 1801-1821, which is incorporated herein be reference for all purposes.

In accordance with the present invention, it is known that such wavelengths of light are entirely unacceptable for the synthesis of nucleic acids. Such wavelengths of UV light cause numerous forms of damage to a nucleic acid chain, including cross-linking of bases. Nucleic acids synthesized under these conditions would be unable to effectively hybridize to their homologous counterparts. To use onium salts in accordance with the present invention, they must be capable of being directly or indirectly activated by light in the range of 330 nm to about 365 nm and generate acid at an acceptable level and rate (photospeed) at those longer wavelengths. Such onium salts are known in the literature or could be devised based on the teachings of present invention by those of skill in the art using reasonable and not undue effort.

Many onium salts can be synthesized by metathesis reactions. Thus, the acid counterion can be easily modified. In turn, this allows a ready means to vary the level of acid production, volatility and size of the photogenerated acid. Onium acids are described in a wide variety of published references, including Wallraff, G. M. and Hinsberg, W. D., cited above. See also Shirai, M. and Tsunooka, M., “Photoacid and Photobase Generators: Chemistry and Applications to Polymeric Materials,” Prov. Polym. Sci., Vol. 21, 1-45, 1996, incorporated here by reference for all purposes.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, both ionic and non-ionic photoacid generators are contemplated. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Ionic PAGs are thermally stable and have a wide range of spectral absorption. However, ionic PAGs have a limited solubility in organic solvents. Non-ionic PAGs have better solubility in organic solvents, but have less thermal stability than ionic PAGs. However, as discussed above, the thermal stability is a less important consideration here than in the computer industry.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the polymers synthesized by the techniques of the present invention do not undergo undue or substantial damage during the synthesis. In this regard, it is known that exposure of nucleic acid polymers to acids can result in damage, including for example depurination. In the context of nucleic acid arrays, which are used to detect the hybridization of homologous species of nucleotides, the nucleic acid attached to the substrate can undergo some depurination and still act to satisfactorily hybridize homologous nucleic acids. However, if the damage is too great, the hybridization will not occur at all or will not occur reliably. A substantial number of damaged probes in a feature could result in a false negative. Thus, in certain embodiments of the instant invention, the acid from a photoacid generator is not allowed to substantially damage the nucleic acids being synthesized. In accordance with the present invention, substantial damage means that the polymer or nucleic acid is unable to be used for the intended use for the array. Thus, in the context of a nucleic acid array, substantial damage would mean that the array could not be used to reliably detect nucleic acids. For a protein array, substantial damage would mean that the peptide was damaged to the extent that it could not be recognized by an antibody or protein receptor.

In one aspect of the present invention, the polymer is a nucleic acid and the monomer is a nucleotide and substantial damage is determined by determining the level of false negatives (e.g., the loss of signal from hybridization) generated by hybridizing the array with a known sample having known complementary nucleic acids to said array. In accordance with this aspect, the array can be tested by hybridizing it with a test or control sample having nucleic acids which should give a positive signal on the array if the oligonucleotides, for example, on the array have been synthesized without substantial damage. After hybridization of the control sequence, the array can be scanned and the features analyzed with the corresponding control probes. If the control probes have suffered no damage during fabrication, a high intensity result should be observed. However, if minimal damage occurred the signal might still be present, but diminished, for example by 50%. If the array were intended to detect rare species such a diminution would probably be unacceptable. The batch of arrays containing such defects would likely be disposed of. If no signal were seen or if the signal was diminished by 90% or more, the batch of such arrays would probably be disposed of regardless of the proposed end use of such arrays.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the polymer arrays generated by the teachings of instant invention are subjected to quality control. In preferred embodiments, oligonucleotide or nucleic acid arrays of the present invention are subject to quality control to determine fidelity of the synthesis and the ability of the probes to bind to homologous nucleic acid. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, quality control is performed by synthesizing nucleic acid arrays containing probes of known sequence. These arrays are then hybridized to control sequences corresponding to the known sequence. It is then determined whether sufficient signal is generated by hybridization to the control sequences.

In preferred embodiments, the arrays are synthesized on wafers, containing scores of joined individual arrays. Quality control is performed on a wafer by sawing off a few arrays for the control testing described above. According to an aspect of the instant invention, if the few arrays pass the control hybridization test, the wafer passes the test and it then may be segregated into individual arrays. If the control experiments fail, the wafer fails and is discarded.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an array of oligonucleotides is produced using a PAG and DMT protected nucleotides to produce features preferably on the order of 10-100 μm. More preferably, features are on the order of 1-10 μm. In another preferred embodiment, features are on the order of 100-1000 nm.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, one purpose of adding an acid scavenger to the resist mixture is to modulate contrast/sensitivity and decrease background (e.g., spontaneous detritylation).

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, standard DMT-protected phosphoramidite nucleotide monomers are used in conjunction with one or more acid scavengers. Generally, an activated DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomer is coupled to a support-bound hydroxyl functionality and oxidized in the typical manner. The support (i.e., wafer or chip) is subsequently coated with a PAG formulation that contains a photoacid generator, a polymeric matrix, solvent and an acid scavenger. Preferably, an acid scavenger is either an organic base or a polymeric base described herein.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, arrays of the instant invention are synthesized on commercially available silicon wafers.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a PAG formulation contains 5% of a poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) (MW 15K) matrix, 5% iodonium PAG (e.g., bis-(4-t-butylphenyl)iodonium PF₆ ⁻), 9.5% isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) sensitizer in ethyl lactate solvent. An acid scavenger, for example, a base such as an organic base or a polymer base is typically added to the PAG formulation to the resist mixture to modulate contrast/sensitivity and decrease background (i.e., spontaneous detritylation).

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the polymer solution is preferably spun-coat at 2,500 RPM for 60 seconds, which typically provides a tack-free surface and uniform sub-micron film thickness. Preferably, the coated support is then subjected to photolysis (with or without a mask) using an appropriate dose and wavelength, as determined empirically by dose response profiles. Following photolysis, the support is stripped of its coating by applying an organic solvent, and probe synthesis is continued. This basic sequence of events is repeated to add additional monomer units, preferably nucleotides, thus assembling the probe array. After the desired probe has been synthesized, the substrate can be base-deprotected (i.e., blocking groups on the exocyclic amines can be removed) in the normal way and then the array can be used in hybridization experiments.

EXAMPLES Example 1 2,6-dinitrobenzyl tosylate PAG

In this example, a PAG was used in conjunction with standard DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomers to fabricate oligonucleotide arrays. A solution of activated DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomer was coupled to a support-bound hydroxyl functionality and oxidized in the typical manner. The support (i.e., wafer or chip) was removed from the flowcell and coated with a polymer solution that contained a photoacid generator: 2,6-dinitrobenzyl tosylate (“DBT”).

A solution containing 10% by weight DBT, 15% PMMA (MW 120 k) and 0.5% di-t-butyl aniline in MEK solvent was spun-coat at 2,500 RPM for 90 seconds onto a DMT protected hydroxyl-functionalized substrate, thus providing a tack-free film of uniform thickness. The coated substrate was then subjected to UV light exposure, with or without a mask, using a dose of about 1 Joule at 365 nm. Following photolysis, the support was promptly stripped of its coating by applying acetonitrile, and then the support was returned to the flowcell to continue probe synthesis. This basic sequence of events was repeated to add additional monomer units, thus assembling the probe. After the desired probes had been synthesized, the substrate was base-deprotected in the normal way and then used in hybridization experiments.

Supporting data demonstrate exemplary methods described above in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 20-mer and 50-mer probes were prepared in various patterns. Hybridization signals and profiles from these were compared to a “gold standard” method using solution-phase TCA delivery to achieve detritylation. In most respects, the behavior of the probes prepared with the photoacid generator process is identical to the behavior of the probes prepared with conventional solution-phase TCA detritylation. This observation demonstrates that the stepwise coupling yield for the probes prepared by the photo-acid generator process is comparable to that achieved with solution-phase TCA delivery (i.e., 97-99%). Moreover, the hybridization results further demonstrate that the probe is intact and not degraded as a result of depurination and subsequent chain cleavage. Particularly low background signal was obtained. The low levels of background demonstrate that this method additionally holds promise for array designs that demand extremely high-contrast, such as those that contain ultra-small features. No baking step was conducted between the photolysis step and the stripping step in the above process.

Example 2 Onium Salt PAG

In this example, an onium PAG was used in conjunction with standard DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomers to fabricate oligonucleotide arrays. A solution of activated DMT-protected phosphoramidite monomer was coupled to a support-bound hydroxyl functionality and oxidized in the typical manner. The support (i.e., wafer or chip) was removed from the flowcell and coated with a polymer solution that contained the photoacid generator Bis(4-t-butyl phenyl)iodonium PF₆ ⁻.

A film was prepared of 5% by weight Bis(4-t-butyl phenyl)iodonium PF₆ ⁻ and 9.5% by weight 2/4-isopropyl thioxanthone incorporated in 5% PMMA (MW 15 k) in ethyl lactate solvent, including a base of 0.85% n-octylamine and spun coat at 3000 RPM for 60 seconds onto the substrate, which is a convenient method to apply the polymer solution, and provides a tack-free surface after baking at 85° C. for 60 second. It is noted that while n-octylamine can be used as an acid scavenger, n-octylamine is rather volatile and tends to evaporate during the prebake and/or coating step. While the person of skill can control for this evaporation, it is not a desirable property. If too much evaporation occurs, the effective level of acid scavenger is diminished. At some point, if the situation is not corrected, the system could be lacking an effective amount of an acid scavenger. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, organic bases were sought having a high boiling point or which are solids at the prebake temperature.

The coated support was then subjected to photolysis with (or without a mask for certain control experiments) using a dosage of about 150 mJ at 365 nm wavelength. Following photolysis, the support was promptly stripped of its coating by applying SVC-14 (Rohm & Haas Electronic Materials) followed by acetonitrile, and then the support was returned to the flowcell to continue probe synthesis. This basic sequence of events was repeated to add additional monomer units, thus assembling the probe. After the desired probes had been synthesized, the substrate was base-deprotected in the normal way and then used in hybridization and other analytical experiments.

Synthesis fidelity of the onium system was analyzed. The hexamer 3′-TAGCAT-5′ was fabricated with the constituents as identified above. The total yield was 64% and the stepwise yield was 94%. The lithographic performance was also analyzed and the onium photoresist provided high contrast arrays with excellent resolution. The onium process is also robust as was demonstrated by a 75-step wafer scale synthesis. Because of the high total and stepwise yield, the onium photoacid generator can be used to generate arrays with longer oligonucleotide probes than currently available photolithographic methods. In this regard, the onium system described above was used to synthesize 50 mer probes. High intensity signals were observed upon hybridization to these 50 mers. Moreover, little depurination was observed.

The feature size of onium arrays produced with different masks was measured and is shown in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 (20/20 oligo213 hyb SEM observation) Mask Feature (μm) Actual Feature Observed (μm) Bias (%) 3.0 3.3 10 2.5 2.8 12 2.0 2.2 13 1.5 1.7 13

In summary, the onium based salt supporting data demonstrate exemplary methods described above in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. 25-mer and 50-mer DNA probes were prepared in various patterns. Hybridization signals and profiles from these were compared to a “gold standard” method using solution-phase trichloroacetic (TCA) delivery to achieve detritylation. In most respects, the behavior of the probes prepared with the photoacid generator process is identical to the behavior of the probes prepared with conventional solution-phase TCA detritylation. This observation demonstrates that the stepwise coupling yield for the probes prepared by the photoacid generator process is comparable to that achieved with solution-phase TCA delivery (i.e., 97-99%). Moreover, the hybridization results further demonstrate that the probe is intact and not degraded as a result of depurination and subsequent chain cleavage. Particularly low background signal was obtained. The low levels of background demonstrate that this method additionally holds promise for array designs that demand extremely high-contrast, such as those that contain micron and sub-micron features. No baking step was conducted between the photolysis steps and the stripping steps in the above process.

Example 3 Polyvinylpyridone (PVP) Acid Scavenger

The method of Example 2 was repeated, with the exception that the n-octylamine was replaced with 0.25% by weight PVP (MW 50K).

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and examples, for purposes of clarity and understanding. It will be obvious to one of skill in the art that changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the following appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. A method for preparing an array of polymers comprising: providing a solid substrate comprising a reactive group protected by an acid labile protective group; coating the solid substrate with a film, the film comprising an photo acid generator and an acid scavenger; activating the photo acid generator in selected regions of the substrate by selective application of light having a predetermined wavelength to provide an acid, wherein the reactive group having the protective group is to contacted to the acid in the presence of the scavenger such that the protective group is removed to provide an exposed reactive group, wherein a step of baking is not performed following activation of the photoacid generator; contacting the exposed reactive group with a monomer, wherein the monomer is coupled to the exposed reactive group; and repeating the steps of coating; activating, and contacting the exposed reactive group with a monomer to produce the array of polymers.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is a nucleic acid.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is a polypeptide.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the polypeptide comprises amino acid residues selected from one or more of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, praline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.
 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the polypeptide is a peptide nucleic acid.
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the peptide nucleic acid repeat unit is represented by one of the following formulae:

wherein B represents a base.
 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein B is adenine, cytosine, guanine or thymine. 8-29. (canceled)
 30. A method according to claim 1, wherein the PAG is selected from the group consisting of an ionic photoacid generator and a non-ionic photoacid generator.
 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the PAG is an ionic photoacid generator.
 32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the ionic photoacid generator is an onium salt.
 33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the onium salt is bis-(4-t-butyl phenyl)iodonium PF₆ ⁻.
 34. A method according to claim 30, wherein the PAG is a non-ionic photoacid generator.
 35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the non-ionic photoacid generator is 2,6-dinitrobenzyl tosylate.
 36. A method according to claim 1, wherein the acid scavenger is an organic base.
 37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the organic base is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary amines.
 38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the amines are represented by the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group or an aryl group, or one or more of R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken together with the nitrogen atom form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
 39. A process according to claim 36, wherein acid scavenger is an organic base selected from the group consisting of:


40. A method according to claim 1, wherein the acid scavenger is a polymeric base.
 41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the acid scavenger is a polymeric base selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyridone, polyvinylpyridine and polyvinylimidazole.
 42. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined wavelength of light is 310 nm or higher. 